Judge Orders Tribune To Turn Over Notes On Cellini Juror

William Cellini leaves the Dirksen Federal Courthouse after he was convicted of two charges in a conspiracy to shake down a Hollywood producer for a campaign contribution to former Gov. Rod Blagojevich. (Credit: CBS)

CHICAGO (CBS) — A federal judge has ordered the Chicago Tribune to turn over notes and recordings in a fight over a juror who didn’t disclose her criminal record in the trial of convicted Illinois powerbroker William Cellini.

Cellini’s attorneys have filed a motion seeking a mistrial over the juror’s undisclosed felony convictions, but prosecutors have argued that felony convictions in Illinois do not automatically exclude someone from serving on a jury.

It’s up to the judge in each individual case in federal court as to whether the court should run background checks on potential jurors.

In most cases, background checks are not conducted, except in high-profile cases.

Zagel had background checks done on the jury pool for the first trial and retrial for Blagojevich, but in Cellini’s case, no background checks were done.

Assuming no mistrial is called, Cellini is now awaiting sentencing on two counts related to a conspiracy to squeeze the Oscar-winning producer of “Million Dollar Baby” for a campaign contribution.

Blagojevich was sentenced to 14 years in prison on corruption charges last week.